Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Agro-environmental club set up (02/07/30)

NB 772

July 30, 2002

DRUMMOND (CNB) - The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture will
provide funding for the agro-environmental clubs for the northeast and northwest
regions of the province. The announcement was made today by Agriculture, Fisheries
and Aquaculture Minister Rodney Weston.

"This program is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture's Agricultural Environment
Management Initiative," Weston said. "The goal of the club-conseil is to improve the environmental performance of local
farms by providing them with the services of a consultant in the field. The department funds five similar clubs across the
province. "

Paul-Émile Soucy, president of the Fédération des agriculteurs et agricultrices francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick, says
the clubs have been a huge success. "The agro-environmental clubs have reached and even surpassed the objectives set out
in the agreement that came into effect in January between the Fédération des Agriculteurs et des Agricultrices
Francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick and the Department for establishing such an initiative," Soucy said.

"Preservation of the environment is crucial in today's world. I want to praise the farming community for their efforts to
preserve the environment while ensuring a sustainable agriculture industry for New Brunswick," Weston said.

The Agriculture Environment Management Initiative was created to facilitate the conservation and enhancement of the
natural resources used by the agriculture sector and minimize the impact of agricultural practices on the environment.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture supports and promotes growth and prosperity in the agriculture
and agri-food industry. Agriculture is an integral part of our province's culture and economy, and has always been a major
economic contributor to this province.